Gameday: Nationals (72-79) at Phillies (98-54)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Tue, September 20, 2011 12:25 PM | Comments: 24
2011 Gameday, Posts
Washington Nationals (72-79) at Philadelphia Phillies (98-54)
Game 1: Tom Milone (1-0, 4.60) vs. Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 3.22) at 1:05 p.m.
Game 2: Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.76) vs. Cliff Lee (16-7, 2.38) at 7:05 p.m
TIME: 1:05, 7:05; Citizens Bank Park
TV:Comcast Sportsnet
Weather: Showers, 72
Media: Twitter and Facebook
First, check out the Iron Pigs lineup below! Then, be prepared for baseball all day! It’s another day-night doubleheader! The Phillies and Nationals will make up a rainout from mid-August. Today’s weather isn’t great, but hopefully the rain will hold off so the two teams can get both games in.
Despite clinching the National League East, the Phillies dropped three of four to the St. Louis Cardinals. Keeping the Cardinals in the Wild Card race could actually help the Phillies down the road, if that means that both the Cardinals and the Braves have to wear out their players. Regardless, it would be nice to have the Phillies win, wrapping up home field advantage in the playoffs.
Kyle Kendrick will start the first game against Ross Detwiler. Kendrick has been pretty solid lately, posting a 2.60 ERA in his last eight starts. However, he hasn’t pitched much over the course of the last month. He threw 78 pitches last Thursday, but that was his first start since August 24. Detwiler also hasn’t pitch much, but he pitched five strong innings in his last outing.
In game two, Cliff Lee will take the mound against Tom Milone. Lee has been dominant all season and his name remains in the talk for the National League Cy Young along with Roy Halladay.
Milone only has three major league appearances, but the Phillies offense always seems to struggle against those young, rookie pitchers. Milone features a fastball, curveball, and changeup. With big name prospects in the Nationals organization like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, Milone fell under the radar. He had a 3.05 ERA in the minor leagues and averaged eight strikeouts per nine innings.
While the Phillies have lost three of four, the Nationals are on a hot streak. They have won seven out of their last ten. The Phillies are 4-1 at home against the Nationals this season and would like to add two wins to that today.
LINEUP: Victorino CF, Valdez SS, Mayberry, Jr 1B, Pence RF, Francisco LF, Kratz C, Orr 2B, Martinez 3B, Kendrick P
Your Gameday Beer– Whirlwind Witbier
Tonight we have a gentle offering by Victory. This classic German Witbier is supremely drinkable on any evening, especially a rainy one like today. The flavor is comprised by wheat malt and yeast with notes of orange zest, coriander, and clove. Essentially, it’s another more sophisticated version of Blue Moon, if you fancy those. If you can find some fresh shellfish, like a bushel of crabs, have that with it. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 2522 Chuck A.
Iron Pigs lineup?? Kratz and Orr. Mayberry earlier in the season for a short while. That’s it.
Posted: 12:57 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 1049 Manny
Home field advantage throughout the playoffs is already wrapped.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110919&content_id=24944332&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi
Posted: 12:59 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 3462 Lefty
That’s not possible Manny! The Sky is falling haven’t you heard? :)
Posted: 01:24 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 567 Brian Sr. of CO
Thats interesting because just the day before they said it was 2. Hmm. Either way, even it was 2, chances of the Brewers winning the rest of their games AND the Phillies losing the rest of theirs, are next to nothing.
Posted: 02:55 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
What I don’t get with Charlie …. is that when he sits people, he does it all at once. Why not start Polly here, but not tonight … etc ..
are they going to losen up that much more … are they all that sore to begin with?.. if so, that’s a little scary and thank the lord they can get their rest
Posted: 01:09 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 2522 Chuck A.
Wonder if/when D. Brown gets a start?
Posted: 01:53 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 137 sse01
Can we find someone other than Schwimer to pitch in a tight game? It seems like every game I watch him pitch he blows the game.
Posted: 03:10 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 567 Brian Sr. of CO
Oh no, we are tied with the Washington Nationals. The season if over, the sky has fallen. Big deal. This is a great idea to get some of these guys some playing time to try to work out some of these kinks. Whether it is mechanics for pitchers, or eyes at the plate for hitters. Will we need them? Who knows, but if we have the chance to get some of these guys who are not that good (schwimer) some innings where meaybe he can get used to pitching to ML hitters, GREAT. Rest the regulars so they can heal wounds (Howard and his ankle) and get these guys some innings (Moss and his at bat, or Gload at First who has benefited it seems at the plate.).
Posted: 03:35 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 137 sse01
I am all for giving some guys playing time, but how about someone besides the guy with the 7 ERA. we have lost 3 of 4 and need to turn things around a bit. How about anyone else, Savery, DeFratus?
Posted: 03:40 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 BART SHART
Hats off the Chuck A — About three months ago when Ibanez was really struggling, Chuck A predicted that Raul would hit about 20 homers and drive in over 80 runs…..I thought “This guy is smoking something and I want some ….. no way, I thought. I was wrong and he was right on the money. Hats off to you and your crystal ball !!!! Chuck A
Posted: 03:50 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 2522 Chuck A.
BART, I have no crystal ball (If I did I’d be very wealthy!). I just continued to have faith in the man and his abilities. I really think that Raul is gonna play a HUGE role in the postseason this year…..at least I hope!
Posted: 04:04 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 41 Johnny Callison
Agree that Chuck’s faith is well placed. Great to see a valuation of Raul apart from the saber metrics of it all. I too will be rooting heavy for Raul!
Posted: 04:18 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 79 branderson925
so it’s now up to Kratz Orr Martinez. hahah alright looking like a 1-4 stretch. not worried at all just a bit comical
Posted: 04:28 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 344 Morris Buttermaker
Ok guys, we got a game with the Nationals today. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Nationals.
Posted: 04:44 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 344 Morris Buttermaker
Phillies went 1-12 with runners in scoring position. Looks like they are in mid-season form still.
Posted: 04:45 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 Scott in D.C.
Say this for the C team: They’re no worse than the A team has been with RISP.
What a painful performance.
And Stutes: He can’t seem to stand prosperity. Gets two outs, and promptly unravels.
Who’s worried?
Posted: 04:53 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 344 Morris Buttermaker
I grew up watching the Phillies play meaningless games in September, and even August, July and May. But this is getting hard to watch. The games are just so boring and frustrating. It’s irritating to tune in or go to the park each night and see less than an honest effort.
Posted: 04:54 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 Jeff
I gave my tickets away. Paid good money and they think I am going to watch this garbage on the field. Please. Also the Phillies think they can just turn it on in the playoffs. They will get knocked out. These teams fighting for the wildcards have all the momentum going forward. Very scary. I dont like whats going on here. This team thinks they will just click in a week or so. I am worried, very worried. The Yankees are not having this problem.
Posted: 05:32 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 2522 Chuck A.
I heard on the rush hour traffic report that there was a line of cars stuck on the Walt Whitman Bridge because several people were jumping…
Posted: 06:16 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 18 barry m
How long can they go on scoring next to nothing without it becoming a nasty habit?
Posted: 09:17 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 Scott in D.C.
The only silver lining is that they had an exceptionally good September last year — and lost.
Maybe they reverse things this year.
Posted: 09:26 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 BART SHART
Hopefully we can wash the stink off after tonight.
Posted: 09:32 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
I didnt see the game but poor Stutes he probably was one of the underdog story fav’s. The team has problem scoring either the A or the B squad. I dont think resting them is going to help really. At this point the “resting” is more to prevent an freak injury to one of the starters.
Posted: 09:40 PM on September 20, 2011
Posts: 0 emelyn
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Posted: 12:01 AM on September 21, 2011